Binding devices



Nov. 15, 1966 J. MORRIS BINDING DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8,1964 Nov. 15, 1966 L. J. MORRIS BINDING DEVICES Filed May 8, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 2 BYMW m WW4 7'7'0k/VE)? Nov. 15, 1966 L. J. MORRIS3,285,252

' BINDING DEVICES Filed May 8, 1964 F116 F219. gm g 326 325 5Sheets-Sheet 3 224 [L BT12 325 F. L w

KYM/W United States Patent .0

3,285,252 BINDING DEVICES Leslie Joe Morris, 225 Ash Road, Aldershot,England Filed May 8, 1964, Ser. No. 366,090 Claims priority, applicationGreat Britain, Dec. 6, 1963, 48,241/ 63 4 Claims. 81. 129-37) Thisinvention relates to binding devices for securing together superposedsheets of paper, card, cloth or like material.

The main object of the present invention is to provide improved devicesof simple form and of pleasing appearance for binding edge-perforatedsheets.

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice for binding edge-perforated sheets of paper, card, cloth or likematerial which comprises in combination a channelled member forreceiving the perforated sheet edges and having one or more apertures inone or both flanges of said channelled member (with which perforationsin the sheets are adapted to be aligned) and for each such aperture aheaded locking stud having a shank for entering said flange aperture andat least one lateral projection on said shank spaced beneath the studhead at a distance therefrom not substantially less than the thicknessof said flange. Hence by turning the stud the shank projection orprojections engage the inner surface of the channel flange to retain thestud in position with its shank extending into perforations adjacent theedges in at least some of the sheets held in the binding device.

Said channelled member is made of strip material which is sufficientlyspringy substantially to grip the sheets between the edges of the stripflanges, and preferably the channelled strip is made of a tough plasticor other extruded or moulded material having an inherent springiness.

Polyvinylchloride polymers have he found suitable for making the strips,particularly a lead'stabilised straight P.V.C. polymer, incorporatingsuitable lubricants and having a good impact resistance.

The grip of the channelled strip would usually be almost sufficient ofitself to hold the bound sheets against displacement, but the use of atleast one stud ensures secure retention of the sheets by the strip. Itmay not be necessary, with a comparatively small number of sheets, toemploy a stud with a sufliciently long shank to engage alignedperforations in all the sheets, although if desired the overall lengthof the shank of the stud passing through an apertured flange may be suchthat when the channelled member holds the optimum number of sheets forwhich it is intended the outer end of said shank contacts the oppositeflange of the channelled member. In some cases, the stud shank may behollow, particularly where at least the stud is made of metal, and insuch cases the projection extending laterally from the shank may beconstituted by a separate element displaceable longitudinally of thehollow shank. Within the shank would be contained axially compressiblespring means which would serve to bias a separate laterally-projectingelement toward the stud head.

It will, however, generally be suitable to employ a stud in the form ofa one-piece moulding, that is, one in which one or a pair of lateralco-axial projections are made integral with the stud shank. The stud maybe of asymmetrical form, that is, with the head projecting laterallyfrom one side of the stud shank and a single shank projection, whichnormally would be displaced through a right angle relatively to the studhead. Preferably, however, a symmetrical stud would be used, that is,one in which the head comprises two similar flange portions extendingfrom a cylindrical shank and with two diametrically aligned lateralprojections, conveniently two locking pins or pegs, arranged mutually atright angles to said head flanges. It is also preferred to employ asymmetrical stud head of slightly convex form, in the direction of itsmajor axis. This means that one or each of two perimetral portions ofthe stud head are, in the free state, nearer to the top of the lateralprojection on the stud shank and the stud head has a degree of flexingin the longitudinal direction of the shank, such that when the stud ispositioned with a shank projection engaged behind the appertured channelflange, each such perimetral head portion is yieldingly pressed againstthe outer surface of said apertured flange.

For use with such a stud the co-acting aperture in the channel flangewould be in the form of a round hole, just large enough to accept thecylindrical shank, with diametrically alinged slots opening out of saidround hole for the passage therethrough of the two locking pins. It isalso desirable to provide the stud head with at least one projection onits underside for engagement in a depression in the adjacent channelflange for retaining the stud in position after it has been turned toengage the lateral shank projection behind said flange. In the case ofthe preferred stud, that is, one with a symmetrical flange-like slightlyflexible head, two such locating projections would be used and twodepressions (provided, for instance, by two through holes) would be madein the channel flange. It will be evident that the preferred arrangementwould be, in such a case, for the two slots extending from the roundhole in the channel flange to be aligned with the two depressions (orholes), and all oriented in a line parallel to the back or spine of thechannel member.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, someembodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a part-sectional perspective view showing a number ofedge-perforated sheets with one form of binding device according to theinvention, and in which two one-piece studs having fixed-length shanksand symmetrical heads and locking pins are used, both applied to thesame flange of the channelled strip; one stud is shown applied and inthe locking position and the other stud is about to be inserted.

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are respectively a plan view, a side view and an endview of the preferred one-piece moulded stud, as used in the bindingdevice shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a part-sectional fragmentary view showing a stud accordingto FIGURES 1 to 4 in the position of use,

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section through the channelled strip used in thebinding device illustrated in FIGURE 1, but before said strip has beenforced open by the insertion between the strip flanges of the sheets tobe bound,

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a portion of the strip shown in FIGURE 6,illustrating clearly the main aperture and retaining holes provided foruse with the stud shown in FIGURES 1 to 5,

FIGURE 8 is a view looking at the back or spine of a binding device asillustrated in FIGURE 1, to show how st-uds can be engaged with bothflanges of the channelled strip,

FIGURES 9 to 12 inclusive are cross-sectional views similar to FIGURE 6,illustrating other forms of channelled strips,

FIGURES 13, 14 and 15 are respectively a plan view, a side view and anend view of another stud with a symmetricalhead and a fixed-lengthshank, such as could be made of metal,

FIGURES 16, 17 and 18 and 19, 20 and 21 are sets of views respectivelysimilar to FIGURES 13, 14 and L5,

3 illustrating two further forms of studs'with fixed-length studs, butwith longitudinally displaceable locking projections, and

FIGURES 22 and 23 are respectively two perspective views showing amodified form of one-piece stud with an asymmetrical head and a singlelocating projection.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 7, the channelled memberis in the form of a strip 1 comprising a length of extruded or mouldedsynthetic plastic, such as P.V.C., said strip 1 having two longitudinalfolds 2, 2A which provide a substantially flat back or spine 3 and twosimilar flanges 4, 4A extending from said back or I spine along thelength of the strip. The inherent resilience or springiness f theplastic material from which the strip 1 is made is such that in its freestate the edges 5 of the channel flanges 4, which may have internalbeads or ridges 6, as shown, are in pressing contact (see FIG. 6). Toapply the binding strip 1 to a number of superposed sheets 7 each havingperforations 8 near one edge, the sheets are suitably inserted into thechannel strip 1, such as by sliding the strip lengthwise onto the edgesof the sheets 7, so that the superposed sheet edges lie between the twoflanges 4, 4A. In the flange 4 are punched two holes or apertures 9spaced one from another along the flange, and with these holes arealigned the prepunched perforations 8 in the sheets 7. Each aperture 9in the flange 4 consists of a central round hole 10 and a pair of shortdiametrically opposed slots 11 extending from the round hole 10 (seeFIG. 7). In order to ensure retention of the sheets 7 in the springystrip 1, a stud 12 is provided for each aperture 9, each stud having acylindrical shank 13 which is adapted to be inserted through the roundhole 10 into the aligned prepunched perforations 8 in the sheets 7. Theapertures 9 are preferably spaced apart at standard distancescustomarily used for perforating sheets.

Each stud 12 has an elongated symmetrical head :14 comprising a pair ofopposite extending flat wings 15, and beneath the head 14 arediametrically opposed projections in the form of pins 16 which extendradially from the shank 13. The pins 16 are situated from the centrepart of the head 14 a distance not less than the thickness of the flangematerial, and they are disposed in a plane at right angles to the majoraxis of the head 14, so that when the stud 12 is inserted into theaperture 9 the pins 16 pass through the slots 11 extending from the hole10. The stud 12 is then rotated by means of the head 14 (in this casethrough 90) so that the pins 16 are retained beneath the flange 4 tosecure the stud 12 in position.

The winged head 14 of the stud 12 is, in its free state (see FIG. 3),slightly convexly curved, and the somewhat springy wings are thus flexedupwards as the stud 12 is inserted, because the perimetral or endportions 17 of the Wings 15 are nearer to the pins 16 than the centralpart of the head 14. The stud head 14 is thus held against strip flange4 by its own resilience. T 0 prevent accidental turning back of the stud12 after its insertion, each end 7 of the stud head 14 is provided witha small stud-like projection 18 on its underside, which engages in anappropriately positioned surface depression in the strip flange 4; thedepressions are formed by through holes 19 punched in the flange 4 (seeFIG. 5).

As already indicated the studs 12 are preferably onepiece mouldings madeof a tough rigid plastics, such as those marketed under the trade namenylon. A particularly suitable nylon plastic is that at present marketedas A100-Grade 66; this material has been found capable of moulding toclose tolerances and to be resistant to shear, so that even the smallpins 16 can be made as integral parts of the shank '13.

To facilitate twisting of the stud 12 it has been found convenient toprovide the head wings 15 with transverse end ridges 20, and theretaining projections 18 are formed on the undersides of these ridges.The top surface of .4 the head 14 between the ridges 20 may be occupiedby letters 21 in relief, which may constitute a trade mark and serve tostrengthen transversely the head 14 (which is comparatively thin when itadjoins the shank 13) without diminishing the ability of the wings 15 toflex.

Although it may be desirable to leave flange 4A of the binding strip 1plain, that is, free from any perforating, there is no reason why studs12 should not be engaged with this flange, as well as with flange 4asshown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURES 9 to 12 illustrate other forms of one-piece channelled strips.In FIGURES 9 and 10 the fiat backs 103 and 203 of strips 101 and 201respectively are retained, but whereas in FIGURE 9 the flanges 104, 104Aare of symmetrical convexed form throughout the major parts of thewidths of strip 101 and merge smoothly into parallel surfaces 150, 150Aadjoining the back 103, the flanges 204, 204A in FIGURE 10 are narrowerand substantially flat and are adapted to flex in relation to parallelsurfaces 250, 250A. In FIGURE 11 the rounded back 303 of strip 301 isused with flat symmetrically converging flanges 304 and 304A. In eachcase beads 106, 206 and 306 are used where the respective flanges griptogether. FIGURE 12 illustrates an asymmetrical strip 401, that is, theflat flange 404A, having an edge bead 406, lies substantially at rightangles to the flat back 403, whilst flange 404 is wholly or mainly ofconvexly curved form.

The one-piece plastic moulded stud 12 particularly described above,whilst preferred, is not essential to the invention, although for smallsize studs the one-piece plastic moulding has obvious advantages. Anexample of a unitary metal stud 112 is shown in FIGURES 13 to 15, wherethe shank 113 may be a drawn cartridge or a length of tubing capped by asymmetrical slightly flexible head 114 brazed, welded or otherwiseattached and comprising wings 115 with retention projections 118 on thewing ends 117; the locking pins 116 may be one or two separate elementssuitably secured to shank 115.

Alternative metal studs are illustrated in FIGURES 16 to 21. In theconstruction of stud 212 shown in FIG- URES 16 to 18, the shank 213 is astamped metal hollow cartridge of fixed length which houses an axialcompression spring 220. The upper end of the spring 220 is connected toor bears against a looped wire member 221 whose ends form lateral pins216 which extend through vertical slots 22 in the wall of the hollowshank 213. The central part of the looped member 221 projects beyond thetop of the stud 212 and through a slot 223 in the flanged head 214 ofthe stud. The head 214 is conveniently anchored to shank 213 byturned-over lugs 224. When the stud 212 is secured in position, thecompression spring 220 presses the pins 216 against the inner surface ofthe appropriate flange of the strip (not shown), which is thereforeclamped between the pins 216 and the stud head 214.

In a modification of this construction shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the stud312 has a rounded-top plunger 325 having integral lateral pins 316 whichreplaces wire member 221. The central boss of plunger 325 extends beyondthe top of the stud 312, through a circular hole 326 in the stud head314 which, as before, is clipped to hollow shank 313 (containing biasingspring 320) by turneddown lugs 324. I

All the studs previously described herein are generally of symmetricalform, but this is not essential. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a one-piecemoulded stud 512 (of metal or plastic) having an asymmetrical head 514extending laterally from the top of the shank 513 and with a singlelocking projection 516 in the form of a lug disposed substantially inplane parallel to said head 514, but, viewed from above, at right anglesthereto. The shank-receiving aperture 509 in strip flange 504, shown inFIGURE 17, has an outline shape which is slightly larger than theprojection 516 and the cross section of shank 513 on a level with saidprojection.

Although a number of specific embodiments have been illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and various modifications thereof have beenreferred to which do not require illustrating, it will be evident thatfurther alternative forms of channelled members and studs may beemployed within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A binding device for edge perforated sheets, comprising incombination a channelled member for receiving the perforated sheetedges, said member being made of strip material which is inherentlyresilient and flexible and sufficiently springy substantially to gripthe sheets tightly between the edges of the strip flanges, thechannelled member in the condition in which there are no sheets grippedby it having the free edges of the flanges biased against each other,and said channelled member having at least one aperture in at least oneflange of said channelled member with which perforations in the sheetsare adapted to be aligned, the portion of the other flange opposite saidaperture being unapertured, said aperture being elongated in onedirection, and at least one headed locking stud having a shank forentering said flange aperture and at least one lateral projection onsaid shank spaced beneath the stud head at a distance therefrom notsubstantially less than the thickness of said flange and having a lengthsuch that it will pass through said aperture when it is aligned in thesaid one direction and will not pass through said aperture when it isturned to at least one other direction different from said onedirection, said stud head having at least one locating projection on itsunderside and the adjacent flange having at least one depression thereinengageable by said locating projection for retaining said stud in saidat least one other direction, so that by turning said stud the shankprojection engages the inner surface of the channel flange to retain thestud in position in with its shank engaging perforations in at leastsome of the sheets, and said shank having a length such that it at leastpresses against the opposite flange when the edges of the flange arebiased against each other and said strip material of the other flangeopposite said aperture distorts outwardly only in the immediate area ofthe free end of the shank, whereby when only a relatively few sheets ofpaper are gripped by the binding device, at the most only short portionsof the edges of the flanges adjacent the stud are separated and theremainder of the edges of the flanges will grip the sheets of paper.

2. A binding device as claimed in claim 1 in which the channelled stripis made of a tough plastic extruded or molded material.

3. A binding device as claimed in claim 1 in which said stud shank ishollow and the lateral projection is a separate element displaceablelongitudinally of the hollow shank, and spring means in said hollowshank biasing said projection element toward the stud head.

4. A binding device as claimed in claim 1 in which said stud head has atleast one perimetral portion, which, in the free state, is nearer to thetop of said at least one lateral projection than the top of said studshank, and

'said stud head has a degree of flexing in the longitudinal direction ofthe shank, such that when said stud is positioned with said at least oneshank projection engaged behind the apertured channel flange, each suchperimetral head portion is yieldingly pressed against the outer surfaceof said apertured flange.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 861,973 7/1907Hager 12937 1,167,639 1/1916 Eifel 129-23 2,555,291 5/1951 Poupitch24221.2 2,601,213 6/1952 Poupitch 24-221.2 X 2,638,826 5/1953 Fairbank1295 X 3,220,078 11/ 1965 Preziosi 24221 FOREIGN PATENTS 739,845 11/1955Great Britain.

316,773 12/1956 Great Britain.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

1. A BINDING DEVICE FOR EDGE PERFORATED SHEETS, COMPRISING INCOMBINATION A CHANNELED MEMBER FOR RECEIVING THE PERFORATED SHEET EDGES,SAID MEMBER BEING MADE OF STRIP MATERIAL WHICH IS INHERENTLY RESILIENTAND FLEXIBLE AND SUFFICIENTLY SPRINGY SUBSTANTIALLY TO GRIP THE SHEETSTIGHTLY BETWEEN THE EDGES OF THE STRIP FLANGES, THE CHANNELLED MEMBER INTHE CONDITION IN WHICH THERE ARE NO SHEETS GRIPPED BY IT HAVING THE FREEEDGES OF THE FLANGES BIASED AGAINST EACH OTHER, AND SAID CHANNELLEDMEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE APERTURE IN AT LEAST ONE FLANGE OF SAIDCHANNELLED MEMBER WITH WHICH PERFORATIONS IN THE SHEETS ARE ADAPTED TOBE ALIGNED, THE PORTION OF THE OTHER FLANGE OPPOSITE SAID APERTURE BEINGUNAPERTURED, SAID APERTURE BEING ELONGATED IN ONE DIRECTION, AND ATLEAST ONE HEADED LOCKING STUD HAVING A SHANK FOR ENTERING SAID FLANGEAPERTURE AND AT LEAST ONE LATERAL PROJECTION ON SAID SHANK SPACEDBENEATH THE STUD HEAD AT A DISTANCE THEREFROM NOT SUBSTANTIALLY LESSTHAN THE THICKNESS OF SAID FLANGE AND HAVING A LENGTH SUCH THAT IT WILLPASS THROUGH SAID APERTURE WHEN IT IS ALIGNED IN THE SAID ONE DIRECTIONAND WILL NOT PASS THROUGH SAID APERTURE WHEN IT IS TURNED TO AT LEASTONE OTHER DIRECTION DIFFERENT FROM SAID ONE DIRECTION, SAID STUD HEADHAVING AT LEAST ONE LOCATING PROJECTION ON